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Kampli
Kampli
from Wikipedia

Kampli is a town in the Bellary district, Kampli taluk, in the Indian state of Karnataka. It is a headquarters of Kampli Taluk. The town is situated about 15 km away from Hampi.

Key Information

Administration

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Kampli is administered by a town municipal council.

Economy

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Kampli is an economic hub for its surrounding villages. Every Tuesday vendors of various commodities assemble at the town's market. Kampli has nearly 20 rice mills and agriculture is the primary economic activity. The Tungabhadra River is a source of irrigation for most of Kampli's agricultural land. The major local crops are paddy,[clarification needed] sugar cane, banana and coconuts.

Education

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Kampli has many educational institutions ranging from kindergarten to Degree colleges. The town also has couple of primary schools and high schools, specifically for girls. Some of the noted schools and colleges are: Govt First Grade College, Shamiachand Junior(S.M.G.J.) College, Kalmat High School, Govt Girls High School, Bharatiya Shishu Vidhyalaya (B.S.V), Govt primary schools, Govt Urdu school, Vidya Sagara Residential School, Sharadha Vidya Niketan, Vidyasagar, Bright way public school, Vasavi Kannada Higher Primary School, Vijayanagara primary and high school, Chetana School, Govt polytechnic college, shanthi vidyaniketha school, Srimathi Odso jademma primary, high school, PU college and ITI, Vidyaranya ITI college and Pragathi ITI and JTS (Junior Technical School), Keonics computer institution.

Politics

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With the delimitation of constituencies by the Delimitation commission, Kampli has been conferred an assembly constituency status. In the Karnataka state assembly elections, 2018, the Congress Party candidate won the election MR J N Ganesh is the current MLA. And In the Town Municipal Elections the bjp party candidate Shahtala V Vidyadhar is the current municipal chairman.[1]

Geography

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Kampli is located at: 15°24′N 76°37′E / 15.4°N 76.62°E / 15.4; 76.62.[2] It has an average elevation of 414 metres (1358 feet).

Demographics

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As of 2011 India census,[3] Kampli had a population of 39,307. Males constitute 50% of the population and females 50%. Kampli has an average literacy rate of 55%, lower than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 65%, and female literacy is 46%. In Kampli, 13% of the population is under 6 years of age. Kampli has spread around 16,363,627,77 squarefeets. It is a developing town,

Transport

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Kampli is well connected by road to Gangavathi, Hospet, Siruguppa, Kurugodu and Bellary. Kalyana Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (KKRTC) runs a bus service to other cities and villages. There are also various private bus services.

Hosapete Junction railway station (32Km) and Gangavathi (10Km) are the nearest railway stations to Kampli.[4]

Nearest domestic airport is Vidya Nagar airport, Jindal (50 Kms), Hubballi Airport (185 km). Rajiv Gandhi international airport, Hyderabad and Kempegowda International airport, Bengaluru are equidistant from Kampli (335kms).

See also

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References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Kampli is a municipal town and the administrative headquarters of Kampli taluk in Ballari district, Karnataka, India, situated approximately 33 kilometers northwest of Hospet and historically recognized as the capital of the Kampili kingdom, a predecessor state to the Vijayanagara Empire founded by Singeya Nayaka in the 14th century. The town, often called the gateway to the Vijayanagara Empire due to its proximity to sites like Anegundi, features significant cultural landmarks including the Somanath Temple and the fort associated with Gandugali Kumararama, alongside prehistoric archaeological remains in the surrounding taluk from the Southern Neolithic period. As of the 2011 census, Kampli had a population of 39,307, with a near-equal gender distribution reflecting a sex ratio of 1,018 females per 1,000 males, and serves as a regional center for agriculture and local governance in Kannada-speaking southern India.

History

Kampili Kingdom and Pre-Vijayanagara Era

The Kampili Kingdom emerged in the late 13th century as a regional Hindu power in southern , founded around 1290 CE by Mummadi Singa, also known as Mummadi Singeya Nayaka or Singeya Nayaka III, a commander who had previously served under the Yadavas and possibly the Hoysalas before declaring independence amid the weakening of northern Deccan powers. The kingdom's core territory lay along the banks of the near in modern Bellary district, , encompassing strategic fortresses such as , , and areas, which provided defensive advantages against incursions from the . Kampli (or Kampila) served as its capital, a fortified town that symbolized the kingdom's role as a bulwark preserving Hindu sovereignty in the region during a period of aggressive northern expansions. Under Mummadi Singa, who ruled until approximately 1325 CE, the kingdom maintained autonomy by navigating alliances and resistances against the Hoysala remnants and early probes, fostering a culture centered on local Nayaka lineages. His son, Kampili Deva Raya, ascended around 1325 CE and intensified defiance by sheltering Bahauddin Garshasp, a rebellious cousin of bin Tughlaq, which provoked direct confrontation. Kampili Deva's reign saw the issuance of inscriptions, including one dated 1326 CE from a temple in , attesting to his patronage of Shaivite institutions amid ongoing threats. The kingdom's relied on fortified hilltops and riverine defenses, enabling it to repel initial invasions but ultimately facing three major expeditions from . The kingdom's end came in 1326–1327 CE during a prolonged siege, when Muhammad bin Tughlaq's forces overwhelmed Kampili Deva's defenses; the king and his queens reportedly performed —ritual self-immolation—at the (or possibly Kuruvinai Mata) fortress to evade enslavement or , a practice rooted in Rajput-Hindu traditions of honorable resistance. This conquest incorporated Kampili's territories into the Tughlaq domain, with surviving Nayakas and soldiers fleeing southward, but it also sowed the seeds for 's rise, as key figures like the Sangama brothers— and Bukka, former Kampili officers—rallied remnants to establish the new empire in 1336 CE, initially basing it at across the Tungabhadra from Kampli. Though short-lived, spanning roughly 40 years, Kampili's determined stand against Sultanate expansion preserved cultural and administrative continuities that later amplified, including temple-building and feudal Nayaka systems.

Vijayanagara Empire Integration

Following the destruction of the Kampili kingdom by Muhammad bin Tughluq's forces in 1327, its territories, including Kampli, were briefly under control before being absorbed into the newly founded in 1336 by and , former officers who had served Kampili Deva Raya. This integration marked a continuity of Hindu resistance against northern incursions, with the Sangama brothers leveraging local loyalties and the strategic region between the Krishna and Tungabhadra rivers to establish their rule. Kampli, as the erstwhile capital of Kampili, assumed a pivotal defensive role within the empire, positioned about 8 miles east of —the initial Vijayanagara capital—and serving as a fortified gateway to the imperial heartland near . The town's fortifications and proximity to the Tungabhadra facilitated control over trade routes and military movements, contributing to 's expansion southward and eastward during the (1336–1485). Under administration, Kampli hosted enduring religious sites like the Somanath Temple, reflecting the empire's patronage of , and local legends tied to figures such as , underscoring its cultural integration into the broader imperial framework of temple-building and regional governance. The town's role diminished in prominence as developed, but it remained a key outpost until the empire's decline after the in 1565.

Colonial and Post-Independence Developments

During the colonial era, Kampli fell under British administration as part of Bellary district, which was ceded by the to the British in 1800 and incorporated into the . The region experienced typical colonial governance focused on revenue collection, land surveys, and limited infrastructure development, with Bellary serving as a key administrative and military outpost. Until 1851, Kampli functioned as the headquarters of one of the district's administrative divisions, overseeing local taluk affairs before the center of operations shifted to Bellary town amid broader reorganizations in the presidency. Following India's independence in 1947, Kampli and the surrounding Bellary district initially remained within , reflecting the province's Telugu-majority influences but with significant Kannada-speaking populations in northern taluks like Kampli. In 1953, the district was transferred to through bilateral agreements, prioritizing cultural and linguistic affinities ahead of national reorganization. The States Reorganisation Act of 1956 formalized this integration, bifurcating Bellary and assigning Kannada-dominant areas, including Kampli, to the newly unified (renamed in 1973). Post-independence administrative consolidation reinforced Kampli's role as taluk , with the establishment of taluk offices, , and expanded driving eastward urban growth and improved connectivity to nearby and . The town evolved into a municipal council hub, supporting agricultural and administrative functions amid Karnataka's broader developmental initiatives, though it retained much of its historical layout distinct from modern expansions.

Geography

Location and Physical Features

Kampli is situated in , , , at coordinates 15°24′N 76°37′E, serving as the headquarters of Kampli taluk. The town lies approximately 32 km northwest of Hosapete and 51 km southwest of city, along the Bellary-Hosapete road. It occupies a position on the , characteristic of central 's upland terrain. The average elevation of Kampli is 414 meters (1,358 feet) above mean , with the surrounding landscape featuring rocky outcrops and undulating plains typical of the region's granitic geology. This plateau setting contributes to a semi-arid environment, though specific local features include scattered hills and seasonal watercourses draining into the nearby basin.

Climate and Environmental Factors

Kampli exhibits a hot (Köppen classification BSh), marked by intense heat, low humidity outside the , and irregular . Annual temperatures average around 27–29°C, with extremes spanning from 16°C in to over 39°C in . The summer period from March to May features sweltering conditions, with daily highs routinely surpassing 38°C and minimal relief at night above 25°C; relative humidity drops to 20–30% during this dry phase, exacerbating heat stress. The season, spanning June to , brings the bulk of the region's rainfall, totaling approximately 550 mm annually, with recording the peak at about 90 mm. Dry months from November to March yield less than 5 mm combined, fostering a pronounced effect due to the ' influence on Karnataka's interior. This pattern results in 50–60 rainy days per year, concentrated in the wet period, and contributes to recurrent , as evidenced by historical drought episodes in . Environmentally, the semi-arid conditions support sparse xerophytic vegetation, including , , and other drought-resistant shrubs, interspersed with irrigated croplands reliant on systems. Soil profiles feature red lateritic types prone to , limiting natural recharge and amplifying vulnerability to variability. Local freshwater tanks exhibit seasonal zooplankton diversity tied to , pH, and dissolved oxygen fluctuations, reflecting adaptive aquatic amid anthropogenic pressures like agricultural runoff. Ballari's extensive iron ore mining further degrades habitats through dust deposition and , reducing vegetative cover and altering microclimates, though empirical studies underscore the resilience of native to such stressors.

Demographics

As of the 2011 Indian census, town had a of 39,307, comprising 19,476 males and 19,831 females, yielding a of 1,018 females per 1,000 males. The town's area spans 26.3 square kilometers, resulting in a of approximately 1,661 persons per square kilometer. Between the 2001 and 2011 censuses, Kampli's grew from 35,380 to 39,307, reflecting a decadal increase of 11.1% or an average annual growth rate of about 1.1%. This rate lagged behind the 24.92% decadal growth observed in overall during the same period, attributable to Kampli's established urban status and moderated expansion compared to peri-urban areas. Local municipal documents describe Kampli as one of the faster-growing towns in the district, driven by its role as an industrial and trading hub rather than rapid rural-to-urban migration.
Census YearPopulationDecadal Growth (%)Annual Growth Rate (%)
200135,380--
201139,30711.11.1
No official data beyond 2011 is available due to the postponement of the 2021 enumeration, though projections in local development plans anticipate continued moderate growth tied to economic activities in and within . Approximately 13.8% of the 2011 population was under age 6, indicating a youthful demographic structure supportive of sustained expansion absent major outflows.

Religious and Linguistic Composition

According to the 2011 Indian census, form the majority in Kampli town, accounting for 78.76% of the (30,958 individuals), while comprise 20.21% (7,942 individuals). Jains represent 0.49% (194 individuals), 0.38% (148 individuals), with , Buddhists, and those not stating religion each under 0.15% (fewer than 60 individuals combined).
ReligionPopulationPercentage
Hindu30,95878.76%
Muslim7,94220.21%
Jain1940.49%
Christian1480.38%
No religion600.15%
Sikh30.01%
Buddhist20.01%
The linguistic profile of Kampli aligns with broader patterns in Bellary , where serves as the predominant mother tongue for the majority, reflecting its role as Karnataka's . Urdu is commonly spoken among the Muslim community, while Telugu maintains presence due to historical migrations and proximity to Telugu-speaking regions. District-level 2011 data indicate as the mother tongue for roughly 66-68% of residents, Telugu around 13%, and about 13%, with minor contributions from , , and Marathi. Town-specific mother tongue breakdowns are not separately tabulated in accessible summaries, but the elevated Muslim proportion in Kampli suggests a correspondingly higher share of speakers relative to the district average.

Government and Administration

Local Governance Structure

Kampli's local governance is administered by the Kampli Town Municipal Council (TMC), an urban local body established under the Karnataka Municipalities Act, 1964, which oversees civic functions in the town as the headquarters of Kampli taluk in Ballari district. The TMC operates as a transitional urban authority between a town panchayat and a city municipal council, handling responsibilities such as water supply, sanitation, road maintenance, street lighting, and public health services. Administrative operations are led by a chief officer appointed by the state government through the Directorate of Municipal Administration, who manages executive functions, budget implementation, and coordination with state departments. The consists of 23 elected councilors, each representing a designated ward, with elections held every five years under the supervision of the . Councilors are directly elected by residents, and the body elects a president from among its members to preside over meetings, approve development plans, and represent the in official capacities. In the most recent documented election in November 2019, the secured 13 seats, forming the majority, while the won the remainder, illustrating the competitive multiparty dynamics in local polls. The TMC's decisions on bylaws, taxation, and projects require approval from the in session, ensuring participatory while adhering to state oversight for financial accountability. Beyond the elected council, the TMC integrates with higher administrative tiers, including the Zilla Panchayat for rural linkages and the taluk-level revenue administration for land records and coordination. This structure supports decentralized service delivery, with the council maintaining facilities like community halls and processing citizen applications for building permissions and utility connections through its online portal. Annual budgets and audits are submitted to the state for review, promoting transparency in for local priorities such as and .

Political Representation and Elections

Kampli is represented in the by the member elected from the (No. 91), which encompasses the town and surrounding areas in and is reserved for candidates from Scheduled Tribes. This reservation reflects the significant Scheduled Tribe population in the region, ensuring in state politics. The constituency forms part of the larger Lok Sabha constituency for parliamentary representation. In the 2023 Karnataka Legislative Assembly elections, conducted on May 10, 2023, J. N. Ganesh of the secured victory with 100,424 votes (52.87% of valid votes cast), defeating T. H. Suresh Babu of the , who polled 76,333 votes (40.22%). The margin of victory was 24,091 votes, with a of approximately 72%. Ganesh, a 44-year-old 12th-pass candidate with declared assets of over ₹8.89 , had no criminal cases registered against him at the time of nomination. Other contenders included Uththanuru Nagaraj of the (651 votes) and independents, but they garnered minimal support. Ganesh's win marked a continuation of his representation, as he had previously won the seat in the 2018 elections for the by a narrower margin of 5,555 votes against a opponent. Elections in Kampli have historically featured competition between the and , influenced by local issues such as agriculture, mining, and tribal welfare in . Local body elections for the Kampli Town Panchayat, which handles municipal governance, occur periodically under the Karnataka Panchayat Raj Act, but detailed results emphasize community-level development priorities over partisan shifts seen in assembly polls.

Economy

Agricultural Base and Resources

Agriculture in Kampli taluk relies heavily on from the , which enables intensive cultivation on fertile alluvial plains along its banks. The primary crop is paddy, supported by canal networks from the , with local processing evidenced by approximately 20 rice mills operational in the area. This irrigation infrastructure facilitates double-cropping in favorable years, though dependence on river inflows exposes production to variability in patterns and dam releases. In addition to paddy, farmers in Kampli grow , groundnut, jowar (), and , reflecting the district's mixed cropping patterns suited to semi-arid conditions with supplemental . Black soils predominate in irrigated zones, retaining moisture for these crops, while red loamy soils in upland areas support rainfed groundnut and pulses during kharif seasons. Horticultural crops such as chillies, often rotated after paddy under the Tungabhadra ayacut, contribute to local output, with district-wide kharif paddy area reaching 103,863 hectares in 2019. Water resources are augmented by minor tanks and borewells, but canal irrigation from Tungabhadra accounts for the majority of assured supplies in Kampli, covering a significant portion of the taluk's cultivable land. District-level data indicate that 75% of Ballari's depends on , with net irrigated area at 1.74 hectares, underscoring the sector's foundational role amid challenges like in reservoirs reducing storage capacity.

Industrial and Commercial Activities

Kampli's industrial sector is dominated by small-scale agro-processing units, particularly rice mills, reflecting the town's reliance on surrounding paddy cultivation. As of the early 2020s, the area hosts approximately 20 rice mills, which process locally grown rice and contribute to regional supply chains. Saw mills also form a key component, handling timber from nearby forests and agricultural residues for construction and materials. Light industries and service-oriented enterprises, including workshops, garages, and cottage industries, support local maintenance and minor needs, such as repair services for agricultural equipment and basic . Historically, Kampli featured a industry producing textiles from local , alongside jaggery production from irrigated by the , and wood-based crafts, though these have diminished in scale amid modernization and shifts toward mechanized processing. Commercial activities center on trade in agricultural outputs, with markets facilitating the buying and selling of grains, pulses, and processed like and . A sugar factory, operational until its closure in the late , once bolstered commerce but has prompted ongoing local demands for revival, as voiced in public campaigns as recently as 2015. Unlike broader mining operations, Kampli lacks significant extractive industries, focusing instead on value-added processing tied to its agrarian base.

Infrastructure

Transportation Networks

Kampli's transportation infrastructure relies predominantly on road networks, with (SH-49) serving as a primary arterial route passing through the town and connecting it to Hosapete (approximately 30 km west) and Siruguppa (eastward), integrating it into regional linkages toward Sandur and beyond. District roads further link Kampli to (about 50 km north) and other local centers, though the municipal master plan notes that the existing internal road network suffers from inadequate intersections and maintenance in older areas, prompting proposals for upgrades. Public road transport is facilitated by the (KSRTC), which operates regular bus services from Kampli to major destinations including , Hosapete, Bengaluru, and interstate routes, with the local bus stand handling both intra-district and long-haul connectivity. Private operators supplement these services for freight and passenger movement, particularly for goods transport to industrial hubs in . Rail access is absent within Kampli itself; the nearest station is Hosapete (formerly Hospet), situated roughly 30 km west, which falls under the and offers connections to Bengaluru, Hubballi, and other cities via the Hospet-Tornagallu line. Kudatini station, nearer to certain outskirts like the local fort, provides limited auxiliary access but remains secondary to Hosapete for broader travel. Air connectivity depends on proximate facilities, with Vijayanagar Aerodrome (VDY), operated by Jindal Steel and serving limited private and charter flights, located about 26 km away near . (BEP), approximately 40-50 km north, offers but minimal scheduled services; larger hubs like (150 km northwest) or Bengaluru's (over 300 km south) handle commercial flights for longer journeys. No major expansions to local air infrastructure have been reported as of 2025.

Education and Healthcare Facilities

Kampli maintains a network of and private educational institutions catering to primary through higher secondary levels, though higher education options remain limited locally. The town's includes 13 lower primary schools and 23 higher primary schools, alongside 2 pre-university colleges (PUC) and 1 diploma polytechnic college, as documented in the municipal master plan. These facilities primarily serve the local population, with enrollment data reflecting the area's rural-urban mix in Bellary district, where overall stands at 67.43% per district-level assessments. The 2011 census records Kampli's literacy rate at 72.44%, with males at 81.32% and females at 63.84%, indicating a consistent with broader trends in Karnataka's less urbanized taluks. Access to basic school amenities aligns with state averages, though specific infrastructure upgrades, such as those under Karnataka's education department initiatives, have aimed to improve facilities like and sanitation in primary schools district-wide. Healthcare in Kampli is anchored by the government-operated Community Health Centre (CHC) Kampli, situated near Maremma Temple in , which offers essential services including an operation theatre, labour room, and general medical care. The CHC received LaQshya certification in July 2022 from the Union Health Ministry, recognizing improvements in maternal and neonatal care quality, with notably low morbidity and mortality rates despite staffing constraints. Supporting the CHC are sub-centres, such as the one in the old Primary Health Centre (PHC) building adjacent to the facility, and nearby PHCs like those in Ramasagar, providing basic outpatient services and preventive care under Karnataka's rural health framework. Private options, including Abhaya Hospital and various clinics, supplement public infrastructure for specialized needs, though the town's overall capacity reflects typical limitations in smaller taluk headquarters.

Culture and Heritage

Historical Monuments and Sites

Kampli, situated in Ballary district of , served as the capital of the Kampili kingdom during the early 14th century, a that preceded and influenced the following its conquest by the in 1327. The town's historical landscape features remnants of fortifications and temples reflective of medieval South Indian architecture, particularly from the period (14th-16th centuries), underscoring its role as a strategic outpost near the and proximity to . Archaeological evidence also points to earlier prehistoric habitation, including and megalithic sites across Kampli taluk, with artifacts such as habitation remains and tools unearthed near the , indicating continuous settlement from the Southern phase around 2500-1800 BCE. The most prominent structure is Kampli Fort, whose ruins span the northern banks of the and date to the Vijayanagara era, likely constructed or expanded under local rulers like Kampli Raya. The fort's architecture includes weathered stone walls, gateways, and defensive bastions typical of Deccan hill forts, though much has eroded due to natural decay and lack of maintenance; remnants visible today include portions of the perimeter wall and elevated vantage points offering river views. Adjacent to the fort lies the Hole Anjaneya Swamy Temple, a smaller shrine dedicated to , integrated into the landscape with rock-cut elements possibly from the same period. To the south of the main highway stands the Pampapathi Temple, a key indicator of Kampli's medieval prominence, featuring Dravidian-style gopurams and sanctums devoted to local deities, with inscriptions linking it to the Kampili rulers. The temple complex preserves carvings of mythological scenes, though structural integrity has suffered from weathering and limited restoration efforts. Other sites include the Somanath Temple and the fort associated with , a Vijayanagara-era warrior figure, highlighting the town's martial and devotional heritage. These monuments collectively illustrate Kampli's transition from an independent kingdom's seat to a satellite, with no major post-16th-century additions due to the empire's decline after the in 1565.

Festivals and Local Traditions

Kampli's primary local festival is the Kampli Utsav, an annual event organized by the administration, typically held in February to commemorate the town's historical role as the gateway to the . Established in recent years along the model of the and Utsavs, it features cultural programs including Tunga Aarati (a riverside lamp ritual) and Jambu Savari (a akin to royal elephant parades), alongside sports events and exhibitions with approximately 30 stalls showcasing homemade products and agricultural produce from the region. The main stage is constructed to replicate the architecture of the historic Kampli Fort, emphasizing the area's medieval heritage linked to sites like the Somanath Temple and Gandugali Kumararama Fort. In addition to this organized utsav, Kampli observes traditional jatres, community fairs often tied to temple rituals and harvest cycles, which draw locals for processions, folk performances, and . These events reflect broader customs in the , such as ratha yatras (chariot processions) at prominent temples, fostering social cohesion through shared rituals rooted in agrarian and devotional practices. While major Hindu festivals like (the Kannada New Year, marked by feasts and ritual baths in early ) and Deepavali (with oil lamps and firecrackers in or ) are widely celebrated by residents, they align with statewide observances rather than unique local variants. Local traditions emphasize devotion to deities at ancient temples, including annual car festivals that involve pulling massive temple chariots through streets, a practice inherited from Vijayanagara-era customs and symbolizing communal piety and historical continuity.

References

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